Frank Hughes of the News Tribune reports that maybe there's another reason why Seattle didn't match Portland's Offer Sheet on Ruben Patterson. Sources tell Hughes that Patterson's signing may be part of some larger discussions the Sonics and Blazers might be having that could send point guard Gary Payton to the Blazers.

One unconfirmed rumor had Payton and overweight teammate Vin Baker heading to Portland for Damon Stoudamire, Dale Davis and Bonzi Wells - although Aaron Goodwin, the agent for Payton, Baker and Stoudamire, said he would not "participate" in a deal that sacrifices Stoudamire for his other two clients.

Nunyo Demasio of the Seattle Times reports: Ruben Patterson ? who turned 26 today ? signed a contract yesterday with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers used their $4.5 million exception to sign Patterson to a six-year deal worth about $34 million. Because the 6-foot-5 small forward was a restricted free agent, the Sonics have 14 days to match the contract and force his return. But Rick Sund, the Sonics' general manager, said the team won't match the offer.

The Sonics passed largely because of owner Howard Schultz's reluctance to re-sign Patterson after the conviction.

Patterson must miss the first five games next season for the modified guilty plea to the attempted rape charge.

In other Sonics news, The Sonics waived Wolkowyski one day before the contract of the 6-foot-10 center would have been guaranteed for next season.

The AP is reporting that Ruben Patterson has signed an offer sheet with Portland. "I can't see myself coming back there. Seattle is a wonderful city. I love the fans there. They were great to me and I'm going to miss that, but I can't see myself coming back there" Patterson said Sunday.

Patterson was sentenced on May 15 after he entered an Alford plea to charges of forcing the family's 24-year-old nanny to perform oral sex. With the plea, he acknowledged that he probably would have been convicted had the case gone to trial but did not admit he was guilty

Reports are that the Sonics will refuse to match the offer and allow Patterson to leave. By doing so, they will gain extra cap room to persue either Calvin Booth or Marc Jackson. Patterson's contract terms with Portland have not been released.

Nunyo Demasio of the Seattle times reports: The next time Ruben Patterson returns to Seattle, the fourth-year player expects to be on the court as an opponent.

"I can't see myself coming back there," Patterson said yesterday, speaking from Columbus, Ohio, where he rents an apartment. "Seattle is a wonderful city. I love the fans there. They were great to me, and I'm going to miss that. But I can't see myself coming back there. My wife doesn't feel comfortable. And my kids won't want to come back there. We just have to move on and start a new life."

Patterson envisions his return taking place Jan. 11, when Cleveland make its sole visit to KeyArena, or Jan. 29, when Portland comes to town.

Cleveland, Dallas and Portland are among several teams that have shown interest in Patterson via a sign-and-trade deal. But Patterson must agree to the deal and strongly prefers Cleveland or Portland.

Johnny Ludden of the San Antonio Express News gives us a formal write-up of the Anderson-Smith trade.  Derek Anderson, Steve Kerr, and the Spurs 2003 second-round pick for Steve Smith.  Anderson got a contract for 6 years (with a player's option on the last year) and $48 million.  The second-round pick was included to compensate Portland for taking Kerr instead of Jaren Jackson, whose contract is shorter.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith, who demanded a trade after not getting a contract extension, say he wants the extension before he shows up for San Antonio.  Gregg Popovich said they won't consider an extension but that they are interested in signing him as an free agent in 2 years.  Smith will make $19 million over the next 2 years.  The good news is that Bruce Bowen seems willing to forego more money to be the Spurs starting small forward for the minimum.